Professor Sir Deian Hopkin is Chairman of the Local Economy Policy Unit and Chairman-Emeritus of the University Centre, Jersey.  After a career extending over 40 years in five universities, he retired as Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University in 2009; he is an Emeritus-Professor there and at the University of East London.  He was chair of Universities UK Skills Task Force, chair of the government’s Higher Education Progression Board and of the Apprenticeships Stakeholder Board, and founding Chairman of Cityside Regeneration in London.   He is patron or trustee of a number of organisations, a Council member of City and Guilds Institute and serves on a number of boards, including Foundation Degree Forward, the Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (Vice Chairman) and the Editorial Board of Times Higher Education.  He has received a number of honorary degrees and fellowships including McGill University, Canada.  In 2009 he was knighted for services to higher education and to skills in the UK